the bag I had to walk away from...

My mind is going in circles 'cause yesterday, I was at a Chanel boutique and I saw this Melrose Cabas in Coral Satin, and it was on SALE, and it was SO adorable, and my heart wanted it, but my head said no, it was completely impractical - too big and would dirty easily - and it was more beautiful as a display piece than functional as a bag. In my mind, I pictured myself walking along Newbury, carrying this gorgeous bag, but it just didn't make sense. If I was walking around, I wouldn't carry that much stuff. And other than gym clothes, who would need a bag this bag on a daily basis? I don't have a kid, so I wouldn't stuff diapers in there (although w/ the satin, more the reason NOT to?).

So I had to walk away, alas, and bid it farewell. I have my eyes on a very beautiful Chanel bag, so I musn't get distracted by other bags that won't fit my lifestyle. Poopy...

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Chanel Mobile Art Museum

I absolutely can't wait to see this exhibit. Chanel has created a Mobile Art Museum, in other words, a moving museum, that will be traveling the world. Having already exhibited in Hong Kong and currently in Tokyo, it will make its way to New York, London, Moscow, and finally ending in Paris. In a nutshell, the entire project is described succinctly below:


The ingenious aspect of this project is that not only will the objets d'art in the museum be traveling, but so will this entire structure, the building (or pavilion) that was designed to be installed and uninstalled from city to city. You can view the structure being put together on their website.

Since different artists have contributed to this show, I'm not sure how relevant these pieces below are, as some of them come from their actual retail line. However, since they appeared on their site, I thought it was worth showing as well.


I love how Karl Lagerfeld continues to excite and dramatize the brand, but through very unconventional avenues, and not through obvious marketing ploys. Unlike the Murakami introspective, which thrived to profit through their art exhibits by selling as many limited Louis Vuittons as possible (no, that is not contempt you are hearing...or is it?!), not only are these Chanel-inspired art pieces not for sale, the admission to go in the museum (as I'm checking the Tokyo listing) is free of charge. Absolute Chanel heaven!

The exhibit will be in New York in October of this year, so I will definitely make a trip to check it out.

Chanel Mobile Art Museum - exhibiting around the world until February 2010 - check for city nearest you

looking hot in Chanel

I don't know this Japanese artist, Nao Matsushita, at all, but I came across these photos of her in Chanel, and just loved how she was able to carry all the different styles of the label so well. I esp. loved the outfit up top; so clean, modern, edgy, and feminine all at the same time.

I def. wouldn't mind owning a wardrobe like this!


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Shanghai Film Festival Red Carpet

Now that the 11th Annual Shanghai International Film Festival has come to an end, a quick review of the beautiful fashions on the red carpet. A lot of celebrities were on hand at the event, showing their support for Sichuan, China, which had been devastated by the earthquake, with red hearts that they signed.

I thought a lot of the stars looked very pretty. They wore all the big names in European designs. Some of my fave looks include:

Zhang Ziyi 章子怡 in Chanel

Ruby Lin 林心如 in a dreamy cream frock

Charlie Yeung 楊采妮 in Gucci

Fan Bingbing 范冰冰 in Valentino

Gigi Leung 梁詠琪 in Valentino

Zhou Xun 周迅 in Gucci

A more casual look here:

Zhou Xun 周迅 in Maison Martin Margiela

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Emma not the new face of Chanel

For anyone holding their breaths, those rumors aren't true, "Harry Potter" star Emma Watson is NOT the new face of Chanel's Coco Mademoiselle. While Keira Knightley is currently reigning supreme as the spokesperson, and her contract is scheduled to end this summer, there has not been anything definitively set up to replace her.

While I don't picture Emma as exuding much sensuality, which is how the brand is defined, it would have been interesting to see her "grow up" and be made over into that role.

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Madonna's got sexy front AND back

Madonna dazzled in this spangled dress from Chanel Couture, from their Spring 2007 collection. She made headlines when it was realized that this dress is actually semi-transparent (so yes, you can see her nipples :P), but I still think she looks fab. She was at the Cannes Film Festival to promote her documentary "I Am Because We Are," a film showing the plight of Malawi orphans who had lost parents and siblings to HIV and AIDS. One would think she would wear something a little more conservative, but that wouldn't be Madonna for you!


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Audrey as Coco

I mentioned awhile ago that Audrey Tautou would be portraying Coco Chanel in the film biopic "Coco: Before Chanel." Here is a first glimpse of the movie poster. Clean, simple, nothing too artsy-fartsy, this poster is such a tease considering the amazing outfits and jewelry that are to come on the big screen. The suit that Audrey's wearing is a bit Karl Lagerfeld-ish, not very akin to the classic Chanel as I recall, but I'm sure she will be wearing some gorgeous pieces throughout the film.

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capturing the essence of Chanel

Poo-pooing reports that Keira Knightley would be starring as Coco Chanel in the movie biopic, there was news that Audrey Tautou of "Amélie" and "The Da Vinci Code" fame would star as the iconic designer. She is now also rumored to be the new face of Chanel No. 5, which might even be directed by "Amélie" director Jean-Pierre Jeunet. (I would so LOVE that! That is still one of my fave films of all-time!)


Keira was first linked to the Chanel rumor when she portrayed a modern version of Coco as the newest face of Coco Mademoiselle. I loved the ads, particularly the video ad that she filmed with "Pride & Prejudice" director Joe Wright. However, I always thought that the willowy Keira might not have the acting chops to really define the woman who came from nothing to build an empire.



Audrey seems to be a much better match if she was really chosen for the role. Her beauty and grace is undeniable, but I also think she can carry the weight of the story much better. It doesn't hurt that her French heritage would fit even more elegantly into the character. I also think if she is the new face of Chanel No. 5, she would be helping to define the new sensibilities of a modern French woman. If you're counting, the last few Chanel spokeswomen have been Australian (Nicole Kidman) and English (Kate Moss and Keira). Is Karl thinking "Viva la France?"


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